The earthquake caused widespread damage across Christchurch, especially in the central city and eastern suburbs, with damage exacerbated by buildings and infrastructure already being weakened by the 4 September 2010 earthquake and its aftershocks. Significant liquefaction affected the eastern suburbs, producing around 400,000 tonnes of silt. The earthquake was reported to be felt across the South Island and the lower and central North Island.

It has been estimated that the total cost of rebuilding to insurers to be around NZ$20–30 billion,[12][13] making it by far New Zealand’s costliest natural disaster, and the third-costliest earthquake (nominally) worldwide.[14]

The earthquake has been the most damaging in a year-long earthquake swarm affecting the Christchurch area. It has been followed by a large aftershock on 13 June (which caused considerable additional damage) and a series of large shocks on 23 December 2011.